Sociologist David Yamane edits new book on Catholic priest shortage

As the Catholic Church faces arguably the greatest crisis in its modern history, the scandal over the sexual abuse of children by priests, a new book edited by University of Notre Dame sociologist David Yamane examines one of the major issues raised during the crisis—the shortage of priests and the question of male, celibate exclusivity in eligibility for the priesthood.p. Written by the late sociologist Richard A. Schoenherr and published by Oxford University Press, ?Goodbye Father: The Celibate Male Priesthood and the Future of the Catholic Church? explores the causes and consequences of the 40-percent decline in the number of Catholic priests in the United States during the last half-century.p.